220 Report on the Geology, Zoology, $c. [No. 135. 



some places the boulders are six feet in diameter, and with their longest 

 axis is always parallel to the dip of the strata. The same observation was 

 made by Saussure in the Swiss Alps, where he observed conglomerates 

 inclined, for the most part of an ovoidal-shape, and in the position men- 

 tioned. From this he inferred, and that too correctly, that such strata 

 must have been formerly horizontal, each oval pebble having originally 

 settled at the bottom of the water in this position. You sometimes 

 meet the boulders, all of which are more or less smooth and rounded by 

 attrition, lying in a different position from the one mentioned, which 

 has been satisfactorily explained by supposing, that during their deposi- 

 tion they met with resistance, and the water therefore acting on them, 

 gave them the position they now present ; in other instances we meet 

 with them arranged in single rows (Fig. 2. b,) or in beds alternating 

 with the sandstone, or in only detached boulders (Fig. I. <?,) yet having 

 the above position. In fact, if a similar action as that which raised the 

 sandstone strata forming the banks of the Indus, were now to be called 

 into action upon the bed of that river, we would have a similar arrange- 

 ment presented, and as the boulders generally lie in a N. E. or N. by 

 W. direction, we are entitled to infer, that the current by which they 

 were deposited flowed from these quarters, and that afterwards by 

 plutonian action, the beds were raised to the position they now 

 hold. 



The sandstone which is generally of a white grey or greenish grey 

 colour, more seldom red, (but in these beds alternating with the grey 

 varieties,) in many places is so soft as to crumble under the finger. In it 

 we also meet with contemporaneous beds of quartz rock (c) pointing 

 out shifts that abound all along the cliffs, (See Fig. 2.) The cliffs 

 in general have mural faces rising to a height of two and three hun- 

 dred feet, presenting a very bold and rugged appearance ; about a coss 

 above Maree their height is greatest, and decreases as we ascend. Cutting 

 through these, innumerable deep ravines are seen, exposing well the struc- 

 ture of the rocks. In all those places where the river is hemmed in 

 by banks, it is very rapid and deep, as at Mukud and Sharkee, &c. This 

 department has been ably investigated by Lieut. Wood,* who devoted 

 much time in surveying the river. 



* Survey of the River Indus, Journal of the Asiatic Society. 



